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Israeli Air Force

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Israeli Air Force
File:Iaf symbol.jpg

Founded1948
CountryIsrael
SizeAround 1000 aircraft
Part ofIsrael Defense Forces
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefAluf Ido Nehoshtan
Insignia
Flag
Roundel
Symbols of Israeli Air Force squadrons.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF; Hebrew: זרוע האויר והחלל, Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal, "Air and Space Arm", commonly known as חיל האויר Hel HaAvir, "Air Corps") is the air force of the Israel Defense Forces. The current Commander in Chief is Major General Ido Nehoshtan. The Israeli Air Force has approximately 700 aircraft.

History

State of Israel
Israel
Geography
History
Conflicts
Foreign relations
Security forces
Economy
An Israeli Air Force F-4 Phantom II, in typical desert camouflage
An IAF F-16I Sufa
IAF AH-64D "Saraf"

Early years (1948-1957)

The IAF was formed when Israel declared statehood in 1948 and found itself under immediate attack. Its predecessor, Sherut Avir, was the air wing of the Haganah. The IAF's humble beginnings made its first air victories particularly impressive and noteworthy; at first, it was assembled from a hodge-podge collection of civilian aircraft commandeered or donated and converted to military use. A variety of obsolete and surplus ex-World War II (mostly Ex-Luftwaffe) combat aircraft were quickly sourced by various means to supplement this fleet. The backbone of the IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199 (purchased from Czechoslovakia, and essentially Czechoslovak-built Messerschmitt Bf 109s) and 62 Spitfire LF Mk IXE. Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air, rather than technology (which, at the inception of the IAF, was generally inferior to that used by Israel's adversaries).

During the 1950s, France became a major supplier of warplanes to Israel, but relations between the two countries deteriorated just before the Six-Day War, when France declared an arms embargo on Israel. In response, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) significantly increased its aircraft and weapons production (initially based on the French models) and Israel switched to the United States as its principal supplier of military aircraft.

On Dec. 12, 1954, Israeli warplanes carried out the world's first skyjacking forcing a Syrian Airways Dakota passenger craft carrying four passengers and five crewmen to land at Lydda airport inside Israel.

The Six-Day War

During the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force attained air supremacy by crippling much of the opposing Arab air forces on the first day of fighting. On June 5, 1967, in Operation Focus, the IAF destroyed most of the Egyptian air force while their planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day the IAF had severely crippled the Syrian and Jordanian air forces as well. The Israelis claimed a total of 451 aerial victories against 10 aircraft lost.

The War of Attrition

In the War of Attrition, the IAF operated in air "dog fight" and bombing of strategic targets deep within enemy's territory. Notable operations were:

  • September 11, 1969: IAF planes shot down 12 Egyptian jet fighters in dog fights.
  • September 26, 1969 - Operation Rooster 53: IAF Super Frelon and Sikorsky CH-53 Yas'ur helicopters carried paratroopers in a raid to capture and airlift back an advanced Soviet P-12 radar deployed in Egypt near Suez. A CH-53 helicopter carried the 4-ton radar back, tethered underneath it.
  • January 7, 1970: the IAF started performing deep strikes on Egyptian targets, in order to force them to cease artillery and commando attacks on Israeli forces arrayed along the east side of the Suez Canal.
  • July 30, 1970: the IAF ambushed and shot down 5 Soviet-piloted Egyptian MiG-21 fighters.

Yom Kippur War

In the Yom Kippur War of October 1973, the IAF suffered heavy casualties from Soviet anti-aircraft surface-to-air missiles, but managed to regroup and assist IDF ground forces and later bomb targets in Syria and Egypt. One of the first battles in the war's air front was the Ofira Air Battle, involving two Israeli Phantoms versus 28 Egyptian Mig-17s and Mig-21s, and resulting in 7 downed Egyptian planes and disengagement of the rest. IAF helicopters proved to be highly useful in logistics and rescue efforts (MedEvac). According to Israel, during that war, the IAF lost 102 planes while the Egyptian Air Force lost 235 and the Syrian Air Force lost 135, although these figures are contested.

Growth (1973-82)

Following the Yom Kippur War, most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Those included the F-4 Phantom II, A-4 Skyhawk, F-15 Eagle, E-2 Hawkeye and others.

The Israeli Air Force has also operated a number of domestically-produced types like the IAI Nesher, and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir, which were unauthorised derivatives of the French Dassault Mirage 5 (Israel bought 50 Mirage 5's from Dassault Aviation, but they were not delivered due to the French embargo during the Yom Kippur war). The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful US engine, produced under license in Israel. In 1976, the IAF participated in the Operation Entebbe rescue mission in Uganda using the C-130 Hercules for transport.

During the 1980s and 1990s the IAF was equipped with a variety of additional U.S. aircraft (e.g. F-16, AH-1 Cobra, AH-64 Apache, and C-130 Hercules).

Bombing of the Osiraq nuclear reactor

Main article: Operation Opera

On June 7, 1981 eight IAF F-16A fighters covered by six F-15A jets flew in Operation Opera (also referred to as Operation Babylon or Operation Ofra) to bomb and destroy the Iraq nuclear facilities of Osiraq. Among the pilots that took part in the attack was the late Colonel Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut. The planes returned to Israel very low on fuel.

1982 Lebanon War and its aftermath

During the 1982 Lebanon War, IAF planes destroyed many Syrian air defences (most of them in Operation Mole Cricket 19) and shot down 100 Syrian aircraft without losing a single fighter plane in an air to air combat.

During the war, IAF AH-1 Cobra helicopter gunships destroyed dozens of Syrian armored fighting vehicles and other ground targets, including some T-72 main battle tanks.

In 1986 an IAF F-4 Phantom, piloted by Captain Aharon Achiaz, was inadvertently damaged midair and abandoned, resulting in the capture of flight navigator then-Captain Ron Arad by the Lebanese Shi'ite militia Amal. To this day, the whereabouts of Arad has not been disclosed by his captors.

For many years after the war's official end, and throughout Israel presence in Lebanon the IAF AH-1 Cobras continued to mount attacks on Hezbollah and PLO militant positions in south Lebanon.

Bombing of the PLO headquarters in Tunis

A response to a PLO terrorist attack which resulted in the murder of three Israeli civilians in Cyprus, Operation Wooden Leg took place on October 1, 1985. The strike involved the bombing of PLO Headquarters in Tunis, Tunisia, by F-15 Eagles. This was the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF, a stretch of 2300 kilometers, involving in-flight refueling by an IAF Boeing 707. As a result, PLO headqurters and barracks were either destroyed or damaged.

High Tech age (1990 and beyond)

During the 1990s the IAF upgraded most of its aircraft with advanced Israeli-made systems, improving the performances of the aircraft. In the 1990s the IAF also received the AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship and equipped its aircraft with the Rafael Python 4, Popeye and Derby missiles. In 1991, the IAF participated in Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Also, the IAI Lavi was canceled.

That same year, Israel was attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles during the first Gulf War. Israeli Air Force pilots were on constant stand-by in their cockpits throughout the conflict, ready to fly to Iraq to retaliate. Diplomatic pressure from the United States, however, kept the IAF grounded while Coalition air assets and Patriot missile batteries supplied by the U.S. and the Netherlands sought to deal with the Scuds.

In the new millennium, the IAF bought the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) and the F-16I Sufa (Storm), two of the most advanced variants of the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, manufactured specially for Israel according to the IAF requirements. The IAF has purchased 102 Sufa F-16I warplanes, the first planes arrived in April, 2004 (the IAF is the largest operator of F-16's after the US Air Force). The IAF also purchased the advanced Israeli air-to-air missile Rafael Python 5, with full-sphere capability, and considered among the best in its field, as well as a special version of the Apache Longbow, designated AH-64DI or Saraph. In 2005 the Israeli Air Force received special Gulfstream V jets (known as "Nachshon"), modified with the newest and most advanced intelligence systems in the world, all made by Israel Military Industries.

Three IAF squadrons (150 Sqn, 199 Sqn and 248 Sqn), based at Sedot Mikha, are thought to be responsible for Israel's surface-to-surface nuclear strike capability, maintaining a stockpile of between 21 and 100 Jericho I and II medium-range ballistic missiles[1]. The Jericho III, capable of reaching targets throughout the Middle East and Europe, as well as much of Africa and Asia, is thought to be currently entering service, with a test launch in early 2008.

During the al-Aqsa intifada, the IAF was largely employed in targeted killings of leaders of Palestinian militant groups, most notably Salah Shakhade, Mahmoud Abu-Hunud, Abu Ali Mustafa, Ahmed Yassin and Abed al-Aziz Rantissi. This policy is controversial - due to the collateral damage caused in certain instances. Israel claims it is vital to fight terrorism and that IAF pilots do whatever they can to avoid civilian casualties - including aborting strikes.

After a landmark 1994 High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa, Alice Miller, the Air Force was instructed to open its flight school to women. Miller passed her entrance exams, yet failed the medical tests and thus did not qualify[2]. The first female fighter pilot successfully received her wings in 2001 (several female navigators graduated before her).

In September 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in Operation Orchard.

The insignia of the Israeli Air Force is a blue Star of David on a white circle. This is usually painted in six positions - on the top and bottom of each wing, and each side of the fuselage. Squadron markings are usually carried on the tail fin.

Records and highlights

The Israeli Air Force is considered the strongest air force in the Middle East, and one of the best and most sophisticated in the world. Over the past few decades Israel has purchased sophisticated American fighters and installed on them its locally developed and produced avionics and weapons. Perhaps the greatest strength of the IAF is the skill of its pilots. The IAF relies on its Air Intelligence Directorate for intelligence, including analysis of aerial photography. Many of the IAF's electronics and weapons systems are developed and built in Israel by Israel Military Industries, Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit and others.

The IAF holds world records respective to the amounts of enemy warplanes shoot-downs, air combat performance, special operations, and air to ground operations from the jet era onward.

Some of the records and highlight moments are as follows:

Six Day War

June 5, 1967– the Six Day War: The destruction of the entire Egyptian air-force within three hours. By the end of the day the Syrian and Jordanian air forces were wiped out as well. The IAF shoot-down total at the end of the war was a claimed record of 451 enemy aircraft downed versus nineteen of its own. See: Operation Focus.

War of Attrition

March, 1969 until August, 1970– the War of Attrition: 111 enemy warplanes were shot-down in dogfights by IAF pilots while only four IAF warplanes were shot down in dogfights by enemy pilots (according to Israeli sources). Also, during the Cold War the Soviet Union held close relationships with the Arab nations. On July 30, 1970 the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a large scale air brawl between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots — five MiGs were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses.

Yom Kippur War

October 9, 1973– the Yom Kippur War: The destruction of the Syrian General Staff in Damascus: On October 9, 1973, two F-4 Phantom quartets attacked and destroyed the Syrian General Staff Headquarters in the heart of Damascus. The Syrian Air Force Headquarters was damaged as well.

Also, during the Yom Kippur War, the IAF shot down 277 enemy warplanes accounting for over a third of the IAF's total kills since 1948. However in this war over 50 planes were lost due to the introduction of new Soviet air defence equipment and doctrine: medium range SA-6 mobile SAM batteries and point defence provided by short range Shilka radar guided SPAAG and SA-7 Strela MANPADS (employed by Egyptian infantry), advancing with the mechanized forces and covered by older but longer range and still very dangerous SA-2 and SA-3 anti aircraft missile batteries. Israeli Air Force was the first Air Force that fought against the new Soviet doctrine of advancing mechanized forces covered by overlapping different surface based anti aircraft systems.

1982 Lebanon War

June 8, 1982– 1982 Lebanon War: The destruction of the entire Soviet supplied Syrian air-defence system in Lebanon within a few hours without a single warplane lost; Syria with the help of the Soviet Union built up an overlapping network of surface-to-air missiles. It achieved in dogfights a total of 80 Syrian planes shoot-downs, without a single Israeli plane being shot down.

2006 Lebanon War

The IAF played a critical role in the 2006 Lebanon War by leading the Israeli attacks on Hezbollah. These strikes – mainly, though not exclusively, in southern Lebanon – were aimed at stopping rocket launches by Hezbollah's militia targeting Israeli towns. The IAF flew more than 12,000 combat missions during this war. The most notable mission, taking place during the second day of the war, resulted in the IAF destroying 59 Iranian-supplied medium- and long-range missile launchers in just 34 minutes[3]. Widespread condemnation followed the July 30 IAF airstrike on a building suspected to be a militant hideout near the village of Qana, in which 28 civilians were killed. Hezbollah shot down an IAF CH-53 Yas'ur helicopter on the last day of the war, killing four male and one female aircrew members. Earlier, an IAF F-16I had crashed during take-off. Israeli aircraft also shot down three armed Iranian[4] aerial drones during the conflict.[5]

Other

  • The only documented successful emergency landing of an F-15 with one wing, after losing its starboard wing in an airborne collision with an A-4 Skyhawk during training. The Skyhawk exploded and its pilot ejected. McDonnell-Douglas, manufacturer of the F-15, refused to believe it was possible until photos of the incident were released. The F-15 was subsequently restored to flight status.[6]
  • "Ace" pilots: thirty-nine IAF pilots have shot down at least five jet planes; ten of those shot down at least eight jet planes.
  • "Ace of Aces": Colonel Giora Epstein shot down seventeen jet planes, holding the world record for jet aircraft shot down, and the most aircraft of any type shot down since the Korean War.
  • Obtaining the first shoot-downs for the F-15 and the F-16 fighter jets[2].

Pilot Selection and Training

The selection process for IAF pilots can be traced to Ezer Weizman, widely considered the architect of the modern Israeli Air Force, and his aim of recruiting only "the best for pilots." His reasoning was that the skill and bravery of the ground forces would be for naught if they could be attacked at will from the air. As a result, only those thought to possess the innate ability to succeed as Israeli pilots are even invited to begin the training process, and only the most qualified succeed in completing what is seen by many as the world's most demanding military selection course.

Consequently, potential Israeli pilots are identified prior to reporting for national service at age 18, based on factors such as high grades in school and top scores on standardized tests, excellent physical condition and high technical aptitude. Those who meet these and other criteria are invited to participate in a six-day gibush (cohesion), a selection phase involving physical, mental, and sociometric challenges. Recruits are screened not only for their ability to perform the tasks assigned, but for their attitude in performing them —such as how they take hardships and unexpected difficulties, how well they work in groups and how they approach problem solving and disaster management situations. As many as 90 percent of those who commence the gibush will be dropped from further consideration at its conclusion. (The physical demands of the gibush have been lessened recently, following the death of a participant in 2006.)

Those who pass the gibush embark on a three-year journey to earn their wings, which includes extensive flight training, infantry training, an officer's course, and studies towards an academic degree (a B.A. or B.Sc.). The prospective pilots are evaluated constantly, and the vast majority of those who begin flight training do not make it through the full program. Those expelled from the course will either remain in the air force in a non-flying capacity, or transfer to an army unit. (This depends to a large degree on the stage at which they leave the course.)

While in flying school, future pilots are sorted and assigned to train on different types of aircraft. Few become fighter pilots (considered by many to be the most desirable assignment), while the remainder learn to fly helicopters, transport aircraft, or train as navigators.[7]

The pilot course was opened to women in 1995, though the first female pilot did not receive her wings until 2001 (Several female navigators graduated earlier.) While Israeli Arabs may volunteer to serve in the IDF, it is unclear whether they can seek air force training. In 2006, an Israeli Arab applied to be considered for the pilot program, but was not accepted.[8]

Units and Structure

Main article: List of Israeli Air Force aircraft squadrons
Structure of the IAF
  • Air and Space Arm
    • Chief of Arm Staff Group
    • Fixed Wing Air Group
    • Helicopter Air Group
    • Intelligence Group
      • Technical Service for Intelligence Unit (VISINT unit)
    • Equipment Group
      • Unit 22 - Air Maintenance Unit
      • "Ofeq/Horizon" unit (C4I of the Air Force)
    • Manpower Group
    • Air Defence Command
      • Northern Air Defence Regiment
      • Central Air Defence Regiment
      • Southern Air Defence Regiment & Air Defence School
    • Unit Control Command
    • Special Air Forces Command
    • Chief Medical Officer Command
      • Air Medicine Unit
    • Ramat David Airbase (1st Air-Wing)
      • 109th Squadron ("The Valley Squadron") - operating F-16D
      • 110th Squadron ("The Knights of North Squadron") - operating F-16C
      • 117th Squadron ("The 1st Jet Squadron") - operating F-16C
      • 193rd Squadron ("The Defenders of th West Squadron") - operating Eurocopter Panther (Joint Command with the navy)
    • Sdot Micha (2nd Air-Wing)
      • 150th Squadron of IRBM missiles
      • 199th Squadron of IRBM missiles
      • 248th Squadron of IRBM missiles
    • Hatzor Airbase (4th Air-Wing)
    • Hatzerim Airbase (6th Airbase)
      • 69th Squadron ("The Hammers Squadron") - operating F-15I
      • 102nd Squadron ("The Flying Tiger Squadron") - operating A-4 and various trainer aircraft (Flight Training School)
        • Aerobatics Team operating AMIT Fouga Magister
      • 107th Squadron ("The Knights of the Orange Tail Squadron") - operating F-16I
      • 123rd Squadron ("The Desert Birds Squadron") - operating S-70
      • Air Force Infantry School (Air Force Installation Protection Units)
    • Tel Nof Airbase (8th Airbase)
      • 106th Squadron ("The Head of the Spear Squadron") operating F-15B/C/D
      • 114th Squadron ("The Night Guides Squadron") - operating CH-53
      • 118th Squadron ("The Nocturnal Owls Squadron") - operating CH-53
      • 133rd Squadron ("The Twin-Tail Knights Squadron") - operating F-15A/B/D
      • 601st Squadron (Flight Testing Center Squadron)
    • Uvda Airbase (10th Airbase)
      • 115th Squadron ("The Flying Dragon Squadron") operating F-16A, AH-1, and more - Opposing forces emulation squadron
      • Aviation School
      • IAF Officers School
    • Sde Dov Airbase (15th Air-Wing)
      • 100th Squadron ("The Flying Camel Squadron") - operating Beechcraft King Air
      • 135th Squadron ("The Kings of the Air Squadron") - operating Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Bonanza
    • Haifa Airbase (21st Airbase)
      • Technical School
      • IAF Technological College
    • Ramon Airbase (25th Air-Wing)
      • 113th Squadron ("The Hornet Squadron") - operating AH-64D
      • 119th Squadron ("The Bat Squadron") - operating F-16I
      • 190th Squadron ("The Magic Touch Squadron) - operating AH-64
      • 201st Squadron ("The One Squadron") - operating F-16I
      • 253rd Squadron ("The Negev Squadron") - operating F-16I
    • Nevatim Airbase (28th Airbase)
      • 116th Squadron ("The Defenders of the South Squadron") - operating F-16A/B
      • 103rd Squadron ("The Elephants Squadron") - operating C-130
      • 120th Squadron ("The International Squadron") - operating Boeing 707
      • 122nd Squadron ("The Nahshon Squadron") - operating Gulfstream G550
      • 131st Squadron ("The Knights of the Yellow Bird") - operating C-130
      • 140th Squadron ("The Golden Eagle") - operating F-16A/B
    • Palmachim Airbase (30th Airbase)
      • 124th Squadron ("The Rolling Sword Squadron") - operating S-70
      • 151st Squadron (Missile Testing Squadron)
      • 160th Squadron ("The 1st Helicopter Gunships Squadron") - operating AH-1
      • 200th Squadron ("The 1st UAV Squadron") - operating Heron UAVs
      • 166th Squadron ("The 2nd UAV Squadron") - operating Hermes 450 UAVs
    • Machanaim Airbase (reserve)
    • Reserve squadrons:
      • 125th Squadron ("The Light Choppers Squadron") - former operator of Bell-206
      • 144th Squadron ("The Phoenix Squadron") - former operator of F-16A/B
      • 147th Squadron ("The Goring Ram Squadron") - former operator of A-4
      • 149th Squadron ("The Crushing Parrot Squadron") - former operator of Kfir
      • 161st Squadron ("The Northern Cobras Squadron") - former operator of AH-1
      • 192nd Squadron ("The Hawk Eye Squadron") - former operator of E-2
      • 254th Squadron ("The Midland Squadron") - former operator of Kfir

List of IAF Commanders

Aircraft

Current

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="22%"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="12%"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="18%"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="16%"|Versions ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="8%"|In service [9] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="24%"|Notes |----- | Beechcraft Bonanza ||  United States || trainer aircraft || A-36 "Hofit" || 22 || |-----

| Beechcraft King Air ||  United States || light transport


ELINT / EW || B-200/200T "Tzofit"

RC-12D "Cuckiya"

RC-12K "Cuckiya" || 29

6

10 ||

|----- | Bell AH-1 Cobra ||  United States || attack helicopter || AH-1G/S "Tzefa"|| 44 || 1 crashed on September 10, 2008 |----- | Boeing 707 ||  United States || transport || Boeing 707 "Re'em" || 12 || |-----

| Boeing AH-64 Apache ||  United States || attack helicopter || AH-64A "Peten"

AH-64D "Saraph" || 37

17[10]

|-----

| Boeing F-15 Eagle ||  United States || air superiority fighter || F-15A "Baz"

F-15B "Baz"

F-15C "Baz"

F-15D "Baz"|| 20[10]

6[10]

17[10]

10[10] || Upgraded

|----- | Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle ||  United States || strike fighter || F-15I "Ra'am" || 25[10] || Upgraded |----- | Eurocopter Panther ||  France || naval combat helicopter || AS-565SA "Atalef" || 5 || |----- | Fouga Magister ||  France || jet trainer || CM-170 "Tzukit" || 39 || Built by AMIT (1 crashed on October 22, 2008) |-----

| Gulfstream G550 ||  United States || ELINT / EW

AWACS || G500 SEMA "Shavit"

G550 CAEW "Eitam" || 3

2||

|----- | IAI Arava ||  Israel || STOL transport || Arava 201/202 || 9 || |----- | IAI SeaScan ||  Israel || maritime surveillance || SeaScan 1124N "Shahaf" || 3 || |-----

| Lockheed C-130 Hercules ||  United States || tactical transport

tanker || C-130E/H "Qarnaf"

KC-130H "Qarnaf"|| 13[10]

3 || Some used for surveillance

 

|-----

| Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon ||  United States || mulitirole fighter || F-16A "Netz"

F-16B "Netz"

F-16C "Barak"

F-16D "Barak"

F-16I "Sufa" || 59[10]

14[10]

78[10]

48[10]

102

|----- | McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk ||  United States || ground attack || A-4 "Ayit"|| 49[10] || Used only for advanced training |----- | MD 500 Defender ||  United States || scout helicopter || 500MD "Lahatut" || 2 || Contingency force |-----

| Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion ||  United States || heavy transport helicopter || CH-53A "Yas'ur"

CH-53D "Yas'ur 2000" || 6[10]

32[10] ||

|-----

| Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk ||  United States || tactical transport helicopter || UH-60A/L "Yanshuf"

S-70A-50 "Yanshuf" || 10[10]

38[10] ||

|----- | Socata TB-21 Trinidad ||  France || trainer aircraft || TB-21 "Pashosh" || 22 || |----- |}

Future

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="22%"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="12%"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="18%"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="16%"|Versions ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="8%"|In service ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;" width="24%"|Notes |----- | Hawker Beechcraft T-6 Texan II ||  United States || trainer aircraft ||T-6A "Efroni" || 0 || 15 purchased and will be delivered in 2009 with an option to buy another 10 |----- | Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II ||  United States || stealth multi-role fighter|| F35A || 0 ||25 purchased and will be delivered in 2011-2013 with an option to buy another 50 |----- |Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules ||  United States || tactical transport || C-130J-30 || 0 || 3-5 will be delivered in 2011-2013 |----- |}


Historic

Fighters/Bombers

Utility

Transport/Reconnaissance

Trainers/Light Aircraft

Helicopters

Other

Captured Aircraft

Missiles, Rockets and Satellites

Air-to-Air Missiles

Air-to-Surface Missiles

Surface-to-Air Missiles

Surface-to-Surface Missiles

Space Systems

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air force of Israel.


References

  1. ^ GlobalSecurity.org: Zachariah - Israel - Special Weapons Facilities
  2. ^ New York Times - Israeli Air Force Not for Her
  3. ^ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/778485.html
  4. ^ http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=499935&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y
  5. ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207259,00.html
  6. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_EXtBEaBbs
  7. ^ Israel's Air Force, Samuel M. Katz, Motorbooks International (Osceola), 1991
  8. ^ "IDF Says 'No' to Arab Pilot," yNetNews.com, Jan. 10, 2006
  9. ^ "The Institute for National Security Studies", chapter Israel, 2008, [1] March 23, 2008.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/sourcebook/content.jsp?channelName=pro&story=xml/sourcebook_xml/2008/01/28/AW_01_28_2008_p0271-27282-78.xml
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